“After further evaluation by our medical staff, Glen Davis has been diagnosed with a left shoulder sprain,” Hennigan said in a statement. “The MRI showed no significant structural damage. He will be treated non-operatively. Treatment will include rest and subsequent strengthening of the muscles around his shoulder. His return will depend on progress made during his rehabilitation.”

Hennigan and team officials wouldn’t specify how many games they expect Davis to miss, the severity of the sprain or whether Davis dislocated his shoulder. It’s possible Davis will require at least a month to rehabilitate his shoulder.

Still, a sense of relief washed over Davis when he learned his injury wasn’t as severe as many had feared.

It appeared as if Davis dislocated the joint when he suffered the injury with 47.8 seconds remaining in the Magic’s 90-83 win over the Washington Wizards.

Davis went up for a shot, and as he elevated, Wizards center Emeka Okafor fouled him, hitting downward on Davis’ left forearm. It was a clean foul, but Davis crumpled to the Amway Center floor. He screamed several times as he lay on his back and clutched his shoulder.

Davis received the MRI Thursday morning.

His absence will thrust rookie Andrew Nicholson, second-year player Gustavo Ayón, sixth-year veteran Josh McRoberts and rookie Kyle O’Quinn into more prominent roles. It’s unclear who will start at power forward, but whatever the decision, the younger players likely will receive more extensive playing time.

“He’s been great for us,” guard J.J. Redick said after the win over Washington.

“But we need other guys now to step up. We have capable guys that can do it, and I don’t expect us to drop off in any way. Are we going to miss him if he’s out for more than a couple of games? That’s a possibility. But whether it’s a week, two weeks, whatever, I know that we have guys who will step up.”

Davis’ injury occurred just as he and his team were hitting their stride.

The Magic have won a season-best four consecutive games and have compiled a surprising 12-13 record. They would reach .500 if they defeat the Toronto Raptors on Friday night in Toronto.

Davis and wing Arron Afflalo are the Magic’s leading scorers, each averaging 16.0 points per game.

Davis ranks second on the team in rebounding, collecting 7.9 boards per game.

Just as important, the 6-foot-9, 289-pound veteran arguably is the Magic’s most rugged, most effective one-on-one defender in the low post.

But Davis’ biggest improvement this season has been his attitude. By his own account, Davis is an emotional player, and during his six-year NBA career, his temper has sometimes boiled over, limiting his effectiveness on the court and straining his relationships with coaches Doc Rivers and Stan Van Gundy.

New Magic coach Jacque Vaughn put Davis into a leadership role, naming him a co-captain before the season started. The move forced Davis to be accountable, and Davis has done a better job of setting an example for the Magic’s youth-laden roster.

Vaughn and Davis weren’t available to comment Thursday, because the team traveled to Toronto and didn’t practice.

“There’s no question he’s been very important for us,” Afflalo said shortly after Davis was hurt.

“We’ve just got to keep doing what we do defensively as a team. . . . The bigs have been a big part of that, so hopefully they can continue to anchor the defense.”